Album Review

Some Christian pop music subordinates music to message, taking cookie-cutter chord progressions and cheap emotional gimmicks and pressing them into pastoral service. It's music that has much more to do with preaching than with communicating, and that is intended strictly for an audience of the already-converted. Then there's the Christian pop music that seems embarrassed by its doctrinal content, hiding it in double-talk about love that could as easily be physical as spiritual. There's a place for both kinds of music, it seems, but much more satisfying is the music that neither apologizes for its witness nor underestimates the importance of the tunes and arrangements and grooves. That kind of music is much rarer, and it's the kind that Sara Groves has become adept at producing. On her latest album she continues to sing like a wonderful combination of Dar Williams and Dolores O'Riordan, and her songs continue to be a revelatory blend of bell-toned pop guitars, judiciously applied strings, sturdy rock & roll grooves, and hook-laden melodies. Subtle and artful elements include the oboes and drum loops on "When It Was Over," the gorgeously understated slide guitar solo on "Loving a Person," and the combination of gospel-tinged backing vocals and Beatles-worthy chord progression on the gently remonstrative "How Can I Tell." If you already know you hate Christian pop music, then nothing here will change your mind. But if you just wish it were more consistently transcendent, then this album will give you cause for hope.

Customer Reviews

love it!!!

by
yveevee

sara groves is a brilliant musician and i would love to keep hearing more from her. "Just Showed Up for My Own Life" made me think it is time stop sitting back and make my life count

Sara Groves Rocks!

by
KarateGirl4Jesus

This CD is great! The best songs on here are When It Was Over, You Are the Sun, Add to the Beauty, Something Changed, Kingdom Comes, & Loving a Person. Sara Groves is a great artist. Also, my other favorite song of hers is Child of Love, which you can buy on City on a Hill It's Christmastime. Buy that whole album too! ;-)

Just About Perfect

by
Peglegmonkey

Nothing's perfect, but this album gets pretty darn close! Beautiful, strong melodies are everywhere. Sara's voice is so smooth and pure, and oozes sincerity. The music is relaxing and lush. On the writing front, Sara proves to be quite strong, addressing personal faults, unconditional love, longing, and perseverence. Stand outs are the whole disc, but especially "Something Changed," "Just Showed Up for My Own Life," and "You Are the Sun." There is not one bad song on here. Buy now! Stop reading and go buy!

Biography

Born: September 10, 1972 in Burnsville, MN

Genre: Christian & Gospel

Years Active: '90s, '00s, '10s

Sara Groves, a former high-school teacher in her native Rosemont, Minnesota, burst onto the gospel scene at the dawn of the new millennium with her fresh vocals and spiritual songwriting. She's been compared to the likes of Shawn Colvin and Rich Mullins; however, Groves defines her own musical demeanor. She cannot be limited to one exact label, for her contemporary Christian hooks also meld into delicate pop. Signed to Epic, Groves issued her debut, Conversations, in early 2001, followed by a string...